Reenforced concrete cribbing



Jan. 26, 1932. G. E. NAGEL REENFORCED CONCRETE CRIBBING Filed April 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet m n u T r n n n u fl n r n T r u Patented Jan. 26, 1932 GEORGE E. NAGEL, 0F COLUMBUS, OHIO REENFORCED CONCRETE CRIBBING- Application filed April 25,

This invention relates to reenforced concrete cribbing designed primarily for use in constructing retaining walls, such as used in connection with hills and embankments of railways, but it is to be understood that a cribbing in accordance with this invention may be employed for any purpose for which the same is found to be applicable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a cribbing of the character aforesaid which includes a plurality of superposed header units which are mortised to receive therein end portions of stretchers extending between the units, the stretchers being provided with reenforcing members extending substantially throughout their lengths and extending into the mortises of the header units, and the header units having continuous reenforcing members extending around the mortises, thereby providing a construction wherein the pressure load of the filling is transmitted directly to the reenforcing members of the header units to prevent any likelihood of shearing at the points of joinder between the header units and stretchers.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of cribbing in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the front stretchers.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the header units. y V

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the rear stretchers.

Figure 5' is a top plan of the cribbing.

Figure 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical section through one of the header units.

Figure 8 is a vertical section through one of the front stretchers.

Figure Sis a vertical section through one of the rear stretchers.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 indicates the header units. each of which is of elongated construction substan- 1931. Serial No. 532,330.

tially triangular in cross section as more clearly shown in Figure 7. At each end thereof, each header unit 1 is provided with a head 2 of rectangular construction and of a width substantially equal to the base width of the central portions of the header units. As shown in Figure 7, the heads 2 project materially beyond the triangular portions of the header units except at points adjacent the bases of the latter. The inner faces of the heads 2 are formed with sloping shoulders 3 which merge into the peripheral faces of the central portions of the header units 1. Ex tending transversely through each head 2 is a mortise t having a vertical inner face 5, horizontal upper and lower faces 6, and an outwardly curved outer face 7. Each head 2 is provided on its upper face with a dowel 8 and is further provided in its lower face with a recess 9 corresponding in size and contour to the dowel 8. When the headers 1 are arranged in assembled relation, the dowel 8 of one header unit is extended within the recess 9 of the unit next above.

The header units 1 are arranged in superposed relation to provide spaced stacks as shown in Figure 1, the units of the stacks be ing connected at their rearward ends by means of a plurality of rear stretchers 10 which correspond in number to the number of header units in each stack. The rear stretchers 10 correspond in size and shape to the mortises L in the heads 2 with end portions of the stretchers 10 extending into the mortises. As shown in Figure 5, the rear stretchers 10 extend substantially haifway through the heads 2 and abut the end faces of similar rear stretchers 11 extending into the mortises of the heads at the opposite sides of the latter from the stretchers 10.

Embedded in each of the rear stretchers are a plurality of transverse reenforcing members. one of which is shown at 12 in Figure 9. Preferably six of the members 12 will be employed for each of the stretchers, the members 12 being suitably spaced lengthwise of the stretchers. Each reenforcing member 12 includes an. arcuate central portion 13 merging at its ends into vertically disposed portions 14 which in turn merge into inclined portions. 15 which terminate in oppositely extending portions 16 arranged in parallel relation to the portions 14. Extending throughout the length of the stretchers are a plurality of elongated reenforcing members 1.7, one of which extends through the arcuate portions 13 of the members .12, one through each of the portions 14 of the members 12, and one through each of the portions- 16 of the members 12. End portions ofthe reenforcing members 17 projecta material distance into the heads 2 of the headerunits 1. 7

Connecting the stacksof header units 1 at the forward ends of the latter are a plurality. of front stretchers 18 which correspond in shape to the mortises 4 and are of materially geater height than the latter. Each of the stretchers 18is formed at each end thereof with a tenon 19 corresponding 18 and through thereenforcing members 20 are a plurality of elongated reenforclng members 21, and extending throughout the length of each front stretcher 18, in spaced relation tothe inner face thereof, are a plurality' of elongated reenforcing members 22. As shown in Figure 5, the tenons 19 extend substantially'halfway through the heads 2 and abut the ends of similar tenons formed on similar stretchers 28 and extending into the mortises 4 atthe' opposite sides of the 7 heads 2 from the stretchers 18. The reenforcing members 21 extend into the tenons 19. All except thetwo outermost ones of each group of the reenforcing members 22 also extend into the tenons 19.

Extending lengthwise through the header units 1 are a pair'of' spaced continuous reenforcing members 24 which extend in arcs around the mortises 4. The reenforcing members 24 are so arranged with respect to the side faces of the header units 1 that one of the members 22 will encircle the endportion of a rear stretcher 10 and the tenon 19 of a front stretcher 18, while the other reenforcing member 24 will extend arounda-n end portion of a rearstretcher 11 and the tenon at one end of a front stretcher 23. The up per and lower stretchers of the members 24 are securely anchored with-respect to each other 1 n s oy means OI a plurallty of reenforcing members, one of which is shown at 25 in Figure? Preferably six of the members 25 will be employed which are suitably spaced with respect to t. e length of-the header units.

Itwill be apparent that any pressure of the filling confined-between adjacent stacks vides the cribbing with a substantially closed face at the front of the fill. When the cribbing is used for relatively shallow fills, the rear stretchers'lO may be dispensed with since the dowels 8 of the heads 2 projecting into the recesses'9 in the adjacent heads 2 will prevent any relative movement between the header units 1, thereby preventingdisplacement of the latter due to'creeping or the like. Preferably the header units 1 will be seated on suitable base slabs as indicated at 26 in Figure 1. 7 Owing to the cross sectional shape of the stretchers, the major volume of the concreteis in compression, thereby'developing maximum beamstrength with minimum volume.

,It is thoughtthat the may advantages of a cribbing in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the cribbing preferably will be constructed in accordance 'with the emboeiments herein i1:

lustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. A cribbingcomprising, a pair of stacks ofsuperposed concrete header units, each of 'SELlCl unlts havlng a head at the front and rear thereof, said heads being provided with. mortises extending transversely therethrough, and a stack of superposed stretchers i-SO having end portions thereof conforming in.

contour with and extending into said mortises, thewalls of said mortises being endless and completely encompassing the end portions of said stretchers. I

2. A cribbing comprising, a pair of superposed concrete header units, each-of said units having a head at the front and rear thereof,

said heads being provided with mortises W- tendlng transversely therethrough, a stack superposed front stretchers having endportions thereof conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises at the frentend of the header units, a stack of superposed rear stretchers having end portions thereof conforming in contour with and extending; L 1 7 1 I 111101116 mortises at the iear O]. the neadei units, the walls of said mortises being endless and completely encompassmg'the end portlons of said stretchers, a plurality of elongated reenforcing members disposed. lengthwise of the front and'rear stretchers and extending into said mortises, and a continu ous reenforcing member disposed lengthwise of each header unit and extending around the mortises therein.

I I I mortises 3. A cribbing comprising, a pair of superposed concrete header units, each of said units having a head at the front and rear thereof, said heads being provided with extending transversely therethrough, a stack of superposed front stretchers having end portions thereof conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises'at the front end of the header units, a stack of superposed rear stretchers having end portions thereof conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises at the rear of the header units, the walls of said mortises being endless and completely encompassing the end portions of said stretchers, a plurality of elongated reenforcing members disposed lengthwise of the front and rear stretchers and extending into said mortises, and a plurality of spaced reenforcing members embedded in each stretcher and extending transversely thereof and having the lengthwise disposed reenforcing members of the stretchers extending therethrough.

4. A cribbing comprising, a pair of stacks of superposed concrete header units, each of said units having ahead at the front-and rear thereof, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a stack of superposed stretchers arranged transversely of the header units, and tenons formed on theends of said stretchers, said tenons conforming in contour and extending into the mortises at one end'of each stack of header units.

5. A cribbing comprising, a pair of stacks of superposed concrete header units, each of said units having a head at the front and rear thereof, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a stack-of superposed stretchers arranged transversely of the header units, tenons formed on the ends of said stretchers, said tenons conforming in contour and extending into the mortises at one end of each stack of header units, a plurality of spaced reenforcing members embedded in and extending transversely of each stretcher, and a plurality of reenforcing members disposed lengthwise of each stretcher, said lengthwise disposed reenforcing members extending through said transversely extending reenforcing members and into the tenons.

6. A cribbing comprising, a pair of stacks of superposed concrete header units, each of said units having a head at the front and rear thereof, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a stack of superposed concrete rear stretchers conforming in contour with the mortises at the rear of the header units and extending into such mortises, a stack of superposed concrete front stretchers formed on their ends with tenons conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises at the front ends of the header units, a plurality of reenforcing members disposed lengthwise ofeach front and rear stretcher, said reenforcing members extending into the mortises in the header units, a plurality of spaced reenforcing members embedded in and extending transversely of each front and rear stretcher, said lengthwise disposed reenforcing members extending through said transversely extending reenforcing members, and a continuous reenforcing member disposed lengthwise of each header unit and extending in an are around the mortises therein.

7. A cribbing comprising, a pair of superposed concrete header units, each of said units having a head at the front and rear thereof, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a stack of superposed front stretchers having end portions thereof conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises at the front end of the header units a stack of superposed rear stretches having end portions thereof conforming in contour with and extending into the mortises at the rear of the header units, a plurality of elongated reenforcing members disposed lengthwise of the front and rear stretchers and extending into said mortises, and a continuous reenforcing member embedded in each of said header units and extending around the mortises therein.

8. A header unit comprising, an elongated central portion substantially triangular in cross section and formed at each end thereof with a head, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, and a continuous reenforcing member embedded in the header unit lengthwise of the latter, common to and extending in arcs around the walls of said mortises.

9. A header unit comprising, an elongated central portion substantially triangular in cross section and formed at each end with a head, said heads being provided with mortises extending transversely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced endless reenforcing members embedded in the header unit lengthwise of the latter, common to and extending in arcs around the walls of said mortises, and a plurality of spaced reenforcing members embedded in the header unit and ext-ending around said endless reenforcing members.

10. A stretcher comprising, an elongated concrete body portion, a plurality of spaced, siclewise opposed, apertured reenforcing members embedded in: the bodyportion transversely of the latter in proximity to its outer side face,.anda plurality of elongated rec; forcing membersertending lengthwise of the body portion and through said transverse reenforcing members.

11. A stretcher comprising, an elongated concrete body portion having a tenon formed at each end thereof, a plurality of spaced,

'sidewise opposed, apertured reenforcing verse reenforcing members, said body portion having its-major cross sectional area disposed vertically and further having its outer face curved transversely.

' 13. A stretcher comprising, an elongated concrete body, a plurality of spaced flat, sidewise opposed, apertured reenforcing membersembedded'in the body and extending transversely of the latter in proximity to its outer side face, each of said members including a. central portion, a pair of end portions and a pair of intermediate portions, said cen tral' portions being out of alignment with said intermediate portions transversely of the body, said central portions being out of alignment with said end portions transversely of the body, and a plurality of elongated reenforcing members extending lengthwise of the body, each of saidlength- Wise extending reen forcing members extendthrough one of said portions of each of said spaced reenforcing members.

'14. A stretcher comprising, an elongated concrete body portion, a plurality of spaced, sidewise opposed, apertured reenforcing members embedded in. said body portion tra n sverscly of and in proximityto the outer side face of the latter, a plurality of spaced elongated reenforcing members embedded in said body portion lengthwise of the latter and extending through said transversely disposed members, and a plurality of spaced elongated reenforcing members extending lengthwise ofand arranged in proximity to the inner side face of body portion.

15. A. stretcher comprising, an elongated concrete body portion, a plurality of spaced, sidewise opposed, apertured reenforcing members embedded in said body portion transversely of and in proximity to the outer side face of the latter, a plurality of spaced elongated reenforcing members embedded in said body portion lengthwise of the latter and extending through said transversely disposed members, a plurality of spaced elongated reenforcing members extending lengthwise of and arranged in proximity to the inner side face of said body portion, and said body portion having a squared inner side face and its outer side face curved transversely throughout. r

16. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including a body part having an enlarged head at each end, the heads of each unit. having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completely therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups of stretchers, each group consisting-of a series of endwise opposed sets of stretchers, eachv set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding to the shape of a mortise, and each pair of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely encompassed by the wall of a single mortise.

17. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including abody part havingan enlarged headjat each end,the heads of, each unit having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completelyv therethrough, the wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups ofstretchers, each group consisting of a series of endwise opposed sets of stretchers, each set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to'the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding to the shape of a mortise, and each pair of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely encompassed by the wall of a single mortise, the stretchers of each set having their outer side faces curved transversely thereof throughout. I

18. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including a body part having an enlarged head at each end, the heads of each unit having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completely therethrough. the wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups of stretchers, each group consisting of a series of endwise opposed sets of stretchers, each set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding to the shape of a mortise, and each pair compassed by each header of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely encompassed by the Wall of a single mortise, the cross sectional area of each of the stretchers of one groupbeing less than the cross sectional area of each of the stretchers of the other group.

19. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including a body part having an enlarged head at each end, the heads of each unit having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completely therethrough, the Wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups of stretchers, each group consisting of a series of endwise opposed sets of stretchers, each set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding to the shape of a mortise, each pair of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely enthe Wall of a single mortise, the stretchers of each set having their outer side faces curved transversely thereof throughout, and the stretchers of one group being oppositely disposed With respect to the stretchers of the other group.

20. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including a body part having an enlarged head at each end, the heads of each unit having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completely therethrough, the Wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups of stretchers, each group consisting of a series of endvvise opposed sets of stretchers, each set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding ,1 to the shape of a mortise, each pair of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely encompassed by the Wali of a single mortise, and spaced endless reenforcing elements embedded in unit lengthwise thereof and surrounding the Walls of the mortises in the heads of such unit.

21. In a cribbing, a pair of opposed spaced sets of superposed header units, each unit including a body part having an enlarged head at each end,.the heads of each unit having oppositely disposed mortises extending transversely of and completely therethrough, the Wall of each mortise being endless, a pair of spaced groups of stretchers, each group consisting of a series of endWise opposed sets of stretchers, each set comprising a series of superposed, spaced stretchers corresponding in number to the number of the header units of a set, the stretchers of each set having the cross sectional contour thereof corresponding to the shape of a mortise, each pair of stretchers of each set having the opposed ends thereof seated in and completely encompassed by the Wall of a single mortise, and the heads of the header units of each set having coacting means to prevent the shifting of an upper unit relatively to a lower unit.

22. In a cribbing, a header unit comprising body part tapering from its bottom to its top and having a rounded top, a pair of heads of greater area in transverse section than the area of said body part in transverse section, means extended from the ends of the body part for coupling the heads to the latter, said heads being of rectangular form, each of said heads formed with a mortise extending completely therethrough transversely thereof, the Wall of each mortise being endless and further being common to the opposed ends of a pair of stretchers extended into the mortise for completely e11- compassing such ends.

23. In a cribbing, a header unit comprising a body part tapering from its bottom to its top and having a rounded top, a pair of heads of greater area in transverse section than the area of said body part in transverse section, means extended from the ends of the body part for coupling the heads to the latter, said heads being of rectangular form, each of said heads formed With a mortise extending completely therethrough transversely thereof, the Wall of each mortise being endless and further being common to the opposed ends of a pair of stretchers extended into the mortise for completely encompassing such ends, and reenforcing means embedded in the unit and extending around the Walls of said mortises.

24. In a cribbing, a header unit comprising a body part tapering from its bottom to its top and having a rounded top, a pair of heads of greater area in transverse section than the area of said body part in transverse section, means extended from the ends of the body part for coupling the heads to the latter, said heads being of rectangular form, each of said heads formed with a mortise extending completely therethrough transversely thereof, the Wall of each mortise being endless and further being common to the opposed ends of a pair of stretchers extended into the mortise for completely encompassing such ends, the mortise in one head being of less area than the mortise in the other head.

25. In a cribbing, a header unit comprising a body part tapering from its bottom to its top and having a rounded top, a pair of heads of greater area in transverse section than the area of said body part in transverse section, means extended from the ends of the body part for coupling the heads to the latter, said heads being of rectangular form, each of said heads formed with a mortise extending completely therethrough transversely thereof, the

Wall of each mortise being endless and furi ther being common to thevoppo sed ends of a pair of stretchers extended into the mortise for completely encompassing such ends, and reenforcing means embedded in the unit and 'extendingaround the alls of said mortises, the mortisein one head being of less area than the mortise in the other head.

In testimony whereof I afifix my signature hereto.

' GEORGE E. NAGEL. 

